Article contributed by Gerardo Bolong

RENTON - The return of an old nemesis united with the meeting of a new challenge to deny the Seattle Christian boys basketball team a trip to the round of eight at the Yakima Sun Dome after a 67-59 state Hardwood Classic 1A regional loss to Southwest Washington District IV No. 3 Hoquiam on Sat., Feb. 27, on the court of Renton High School.

"Our Achilles heel bit back hard on us," said Seattle Christian head coach MIcheal Watts. "We got off to a slow start and had bad free throw shooting (9-of-19). The three-point shooting was only 4-of-29. We should have won this game."

Statistics showed 0-of-12 from beyond the arc in the first half.

Hoquiam (20-5) began the game with excellent and quick passing that surgically cut up the Seattle Christian defense for high percentage shots in the soft spot of the zone to clear away to an 8-0 lead. SC drew within 10-6, but struggled from the field as HHS pulled away to lead by 10 points on the way to a 20-12 difference after one quarter.

Zac VanderLey powered to the hoop for four consecutive points early in the second quarter to make the score 20-16. After the Grizzlies pulled away to a 9-point lead, the Warriors drew within 25-22 following a combination of two Payton Gunhus free throws, a Ryan Gifford short range jumper and Gifford's steal and lay up as 4:20 showed on the scoreboard clock. Jordan Dayton's 3-point goal for Hoquiam set HHS off on a 13-2 scoring surge as Gregory Dick and Jace Varner continually received the ball in the soft spot of the zone defense before VanderLey and Evan Toy baskets closed Seatlle Christian within 38-28 at the half.

Grizzly ball movement accounted for 10-of-14 field goal shooting from standard field goal range and 5-of-13 from beyond the 3-point arc.

Conversely, the Warriors shot 11-of-25 and 0-of-12 respectively.

HHS kept the pressure on the Seattle Christian defense to lead 42-30 at the half ahead of a Warrior third quarter rally.

Max Loorem started a Seattle Christian surge by laying one home on a two-on-one breakaway before Gifford fired home a 3-pointer. Zac VanderLey was persistent in his following effort. Trying for an inside basket, VanderLey had his first attempt blocked, but regained the ball for another effort that was blocked. On his third try, he horsed the ball home to narrow the Warrior deficit to 42-37 with just more than four minutes remaining in the quarter. Hoquiam countered the SC punch when Anthony Nash, Jace Varner and senior Brett Pelan combined on a 7-2 Grizzly to conclude the quarter's action.

Having trailed by as many as 14 points during the first half, the Seattle Christian boys faced a monstrous 51-39 mountain to climb in a game they never led.

Powerful perimeter shooting finally emerged during the opening 2:29 of the fourth quarter. In rapid succession, Taggart Anderson finally found the mark beyond the 3-point arc followed by his two free throws sandwiched around an HHS basket. Gifford torched a left-angled trey to make the score 51-47.

Gaining ground off Hoquiam turnovers, Gifford sparked a Warrior comeback that was capped by Anderson's dish to Payton Gunhus for lay in and Seattle Christian was within 59-58 with 2:30 remaining.
By the 2:02 mark, Grizzly mainstays Gregory Dick and Jerod Steen had fouled out, but Warrior players were unable to land further blows that would have given them the lead.

Varner drove for a lay in followed by another lay up as HHS extended its control to 63-58 with 1:22 on the scoreboard clock. Gunhus first attempt from the free throw line on one-and-one opportunity circled the inside of the hoop before bouncing out.

With 52 seconds left in regulation, Jack Adams III extended the margin to six by converting the first of two free throw chances.

Amazingly, Seattle Christian was still in position to win, but could only make one of five free throws in a period of three seconds. Anthony Nash and Zach Spradlin provided the final margin of victory for Hoquiam.
Throughout the season Seattle Christian had to deal with slow starts. In the process of procuring the West Central District III championship, the Warriors overcame first quarter deficits in each of their trio of games. On this day, SC was unable to completely fight through and finish its mission.

In his heart of hearts, senior Anderson knew the sting of finality.

"It's tough," he said after closing out with nine points. "We are like family. Coach Watts poured so much energy into it. He was my mentor. We grew and found our roles at the end of the season at just the right time."

The greatest aspect of the game was the shooting. Besides the 3-point vacuum of points and poor shooting from the charity line, the Warriors allowed the Grizzlies to shoot 71.4 from standard field goal range in the first half before HHS cooled off in the second half for 48.2 per cent. In all shots from the field, Seattle Christian wound up shooting 33 per cent. Hoquiam also had possession of a 46-39 advantage off the glass en route to outscoring the Warriors 18-8 on second chance points.

"We were scoring, but we couldn't stop them." concluded Seattle Christian coach Watts. "We were overlooked and overcame the predictions about us. Our six 4-year seniors had a big effect. Although only thee were starters, they all had an effect with their leadership."

Seattle Christian concluded the season at 13-11.

Seattle Christian's leading scorer was VanderLey, who was enormously responsible for keeping the Warriors in the battle, led SC with16 points, and 10 rebounds. Gifford added 14 points and three assists. Loorem closed out with 12 points.

Varner notched 17 points wile playing stout defense on SC's Anderson. He was joined in double figures scoring by junior post Dick , who posted 12 points, and Adams III plus Steen, with 11 each.

Joining Anderson as graduating SC seniors are Jack Hohimer, Alex Cook, Daniel Begquist, Gunhus and Gifford. Eligible to return next season are Dalton Saggau, Harrison Hohimer, Jackson McKenna-Kier, VanderLey, Toy and Loorem.